Are these two things essential when considering the MCS? Are they software controlled, and could they be added later by a sftwre upgrade?

My driving style has been considered aggressive by some. Would I be safer ordering them both from the onset? I'm trying to lower my monthly payments.

thanks for any help, and please pardon my ignorance.

 

Patiently awaiting exhaustive post by Minihune...

 

I'd say if you're an aggressive driver, the limited slip is a must. For $500 bucks, is a steal of a deal! The DSC on the other hand, would only be recommended if you drive in snowy/adverse weather, or honestly plan on driving the car beyond your skill limits. In daily driving, I always turn off DSC to keep it from "shutting down the party" when I want to burn some rubber! However in wintertime, the DSC stays on to keep the car on the road, I don't have 4 brake pedals afterall

I hope that helps. No doubt it'll be shorter than minihune's answer!

Cheers,
Ryan@DetroitTuned.com
www.DetroitTuned.com

 

We all have a little clown in us. After all we or most of us drive Clown cars as some may call them.

 

The LSD is a steal! It will handle most of your needs, which includes inclement weather. The ASC is a fine software package and would serve you well without too much of the nanny aspect that DSC brings with it. No doubt the DSC supporters would disagree, but since this is nothing more than my quite humble opinin (admittedly lacking in any expertise other than my own drive experiences), that an advance traction control (ASC) combined with LSD and the naturally outstanding handling characteristics of the Mini outweigh the quite positive safety aspects of software that monitors one's yaw and corrects for errors.

That said, if you want to pay for it, you can always turn it off.

 

There is aggressive driving and there is aggressive driving. If you only have money for one option and you do not do track days or auto-X then I would vote for the safety of DSC. Especially if you have to deal with all of the nutty drivers and terrible traffic on the Island.

Perhaps there is another solution? Are there some other options that you would consider giving up? Then you could get both the DSL & LSD. The combination of both is the safest and offers the highest performance potential.

 

Both are not "essential" for ordering an MCS unless you:
Drive on the track regularly, drive autocross regularly, want the most traction all of the time, and love to go fast and not spin your wheels (as much).[Then LSD is something you'd want]. LSD is physical-a mechanical part.
Or you drive in bad weather or have others that drive your car and you want the safety that DSC offers (doesn't help for performance driving). DSC is an electronic module and cannot be added by software upgrade.

If I had to choose one I'd choose LSD and that would not really hurt your payments that much. LSD is passive and works all the time it is a great value for allowing added traction. You don't want to add it later- way too costly!

What are your other options?, maybe there is something that could be omitted so that you can consider DSC. 17" wheels, leather seats, Xenon lights, Auto AC, or the sunroof could be omitted. Your choice.

 

Minihune..

After searching for other posts on the subject (that was challenging reading!) I came to the same conclusion. LSD seems to be what I'll need. I'm giving up the convenience package and the DSC.

Thank you all for your help!

 

Hi Guys,

I have a new MINI that has the factory LSD + DSC options. They work VERY well together. I've driven (for many months) non-LSD equipped MINIs with both ASC and DSC and I can tell you first-hand that my new LSD + DSC MINI is waaay less "BIG BROTHER" than the older MINIs which had only ASC or only DSC by themselves. Thus, I think that MINI either fine tuned the DSC to work wonderfully with the new LSD, or it's just the affects of the LSD that cause the DSC to be far less intrusive now.

I use my car on the street only and I drive it quite hard around the corners (I have the JCW suspension kit) and I absolutely love the extra assurance I get from having the LSD with the DSC. If I'm driving really spirited (like when showing the car off to friends, etc. ), I disable the DSC, otherwise I leave it on all of the time as it works great with the LSD. On our other MINI's, I found myself having to turn off the ASC and/or DSC all of the time as it quickly took away all of the fun from my driving style. The new LSD + DSC setup just doesn't seem to do that.

My vote goes for LSD + DSC if you can afford to get it. Otherwise, LSD + ASC is a MUST (as the factory LSD is invisible while driving the car normally, but you can really tell it's there in the twisties)!

Just my $0.02...

 

I didn't get either the DSC and LSD. Since I don't do any track days or Autocrossing circuits, I did not order the LSD (Changed my mind later, but it was already too late as the car already was scheduled for production).

I did not get the DSC as we don't have snow in Miami or do canyon/mountain driving.

I am happy with the standard ASC+T, but then again, I am not an agressive driver. I enjoy driving, I just don't like speeding and making turns at absurd speeds in public roads. May be I am getting old

If you plan on track days and plan on further engine upgrades above stock, then the LSD will be money well spent, IMO.

But if you drive like grandma, don't race the car and plan to stay with the stock 168 Horses (Which are more than plentiful more my daily driving needs/wants), then save the $1K and get other options better suited to you.